Thoughts for Life: Minding My Own Business

David H. Roper- "Years ago, my son Josh and I were making our way up a mountain trail when we spied a cloud of dust rising in the air. We crept forward and discovered a badger busy making a den in a dirt bank.

He had his head and shoulders in the hole and was vigorously digging with his front paws and kicking the dirt out of the hole with his hind feet. He was so invested in his work he didn't hear us. Photo by Hans Veth on Unsplash

I couldn't resist and prodded him from behind with a long stick lying nearby. I didn't hurt the badger, but he leaped straight up in the air and turned toward us. Josh and I set new world records for the hundred-yard dash.

I learned something from my brashness: Sometimes it's best not to poke around in other people's business. That's especially true in relationships with fellow believers in Jesus. The apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to 'make it your ambition to lead a quiet life; you should mind your own business and work with your hands' (Thessalonians 4:11).

We're to pray for others and seek by God's grace to share the Scriptures, and occasionally we may be called to offer a gentle word of correction. But learning to live a quiet life and not meddling into others' lives is important. It becomes an example to those who are now outside God's family (v. 12). Our calling is to 'love each other' (v. 9).

Father, teach [us] to know what it means to love others better."

486-490 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

486- Ps. 72:6 "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth."

487- Ps. 89:52 "Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen."

488- Ps. 145:9 "The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."

489- Ps. 119:89 "Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."

490- Ps. 34:4 "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

Our Ambassador to Israel, Michael David Evens' comments:

"Intense, serious, passionate prayer moves the heart of God. He sees our tears, and He hears when we cry out to Him. And He answers." [Michael David Evens]

"So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore." (1 Samuel 1:9-10)

Quote for today-

Hebrews 1:14 “All the angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation.”

"What an amazing and comfort-filled promise – that God sends His angels to encourage, protect and guide us on our life journey. As God’s messengers and our helpers, angels serve and honor Him through their praise and obedience as they carry out His will here on earth. As believers, we can count on the presence and power of angels at work in our lives." [Angels Unaware by Mary Southerland, FB link]

Words of wisdom-

~ What is our calling? Is it to some special work that's set aside for God? Maybe we need to examine what we do each day, to see just what we are supposed to be doing with our lives. Can we see that what our lives consist of is our calling? Divine calling comes in many forms as we come to understand God's intent for our lives.

Today's Popular post-

The Importunity of Prayer

Samuel Chadwick: Our Lord taught men to pray to God as Father. That is the central fact of His teaching. "When ye pray say, Our Father, which art in heaven.

He rebukes all parade and pretense in payer. It must be in the secret place, and the door must be shut. Within the secret place there must be simplicity and sincerity."